What is molecular farming, and what impact will the rapid developments in genetic engineering have on Kentucky farmers and consumers? The intensifying national debate over genetic engineering comes to Kentucky Friday, November 15, when the Community Farm Alliance will gather educators and scientists from both sides of the issue for a public forum at the Galt House in Louisville.

The Friday night forum will kick off the 2002 national conference of the Genetic Engineering Action Network (GEAN), a diverse network of grassroots organizations, farm advocacy groups, academics and scientists who have come together to work on the complex issues surrounding biotechnology.

Workshop presenters and speakers include Lawrence Goodwyn, author of The Populist Moment; Luke Anderson, author of Genetic Engineering, Food, and Our Environment, and Kristin Dawkins of the Institute for Trade and Agriculture Policy.

The forum begins at 7p.m. at the Galt House. Free. To register for the weekend conference, call Community Farm Alliance at 502/223-3655.

I want to ride my bicycle

The Kentucky High School Mountain Bike Championships will be hosted at Park Mammoth Resort in Park City, KY, on Saturday, November 16. This cross-country mountain bike race is open to all Kentucky middle and high school students. It also features a morning race for adults. For more details: http://bghsmtbclub.topcities.com/race.htm.

Ready for your closeup?

If you ever wanted to be in a movie, now you have a legitimate opportuniy. Universal studios will be shooting scenes from its upcoming movie, Seabiscuit, at Keeneland, Sunday, November 17th, and they need extras. If selected, the studio will provide food, prizes, period hats to wear and keep as souvenirs. Check out the website www.beinamovie.com, email the studio at Seabiscuit@beinamovie.com, or call 323/653-4105.

Put your bid in

The Lexington Area Metro-politan Planning Organization needs input from the public for its update of the Public Participation Plan. The Plan will be used to improve air quality, building and improving roads, and providing and improving public transportation among other things. You can pick up info of the process at three open houses, on Wednesday, November 20, at the Jessamine County Library at 4:30pm, and Thursday, November 21 at the UGC Government Center in Lexington at 11:30am, and 4:30pm. For more info, call 859/258.3160.

Smoke free

The Great American Smoke-out is Thursday, November 21, as thousands of Americans will avoid using tobacco for the day, or for good. The Smokeout has been a 25-year campaign to help smokers to give up the habit. For additional information on how to quit smoking, go to the American Cancer Society's website, www.cancer.org.

To submit an advocacy/activism activity or event for Quickies, email rkirkland@aceweekly.com, or editor@aceweekly.com.